Legend Help Needed

[Bob Miller]

It's good to be back. I got a new laptop and lost my login password. So I have not been on in a long time.
For those of you that PM'ed me, my sincere apology, if you want to try again I will get back to you.
Now the reason of the post:
My friend bought a Miller Legend #KK226352 LP gas 4014 hrs.
We got it started ran fine with no load, with the leads on DC it would barely run 1/8 6010.
The motor lugged way down, I could make it run a bead but it was a chore and it did not matter what range the selector was in or the fine tune.
I switched it to AC 70-105 setting fine tune #5 and it welded fair (6011), and the motor was way less labored but did not sound happy.
I had a Legend years ago and it welded smooth and with ease. (Someone stole my Pickup, welder, air compressor, tools and all.)
The welder it self looks real good, the paint is not faded, no dents or scratches, the decals are peeling off, but that's it.

Now the Question: Why will it not weld in DC mode?
Why is the motor so labored?
Thank you in advance.
Good Luck,
Bob Miller

[snoeproe]

Has the unit been sitting unused for a long period of time?

[Bob Miller]

I believe the welder was sitting for a long time. Also the nuts where the cable lugs attach did not look like they used.

I'll think it was used as a generator. Or who ever attached the cables made sure not to turn the nuts over and scratch up both sides.

Good Luck,
Bob

[snoeproe]

That’s a fair amount of hours on a gas motor. As a rule of thumb, a gas motor is said to have around 5000 hours of longevity.
For a machine that’s been sitting unused, I would check the brushes and ensure their not stuck and not completely worn out. I’f the brushes check out, then shine up the slip rings. Then check weld performance again.

[duaneb55]

Did you check to see if the Onan P-218 is firing on both cylinders? Have seen them run "fine" on one cylinder with a broken rod in the other resulting in a severe bog down under load.

[Bob Miller]

Lost Password again. So it's been about a month I was off line.
Have not had time to check anything out yet and this week does not look better.
Work just gets in the way of all the fun stuff.
But I will try all of the aforementioned as soon as I can and post back.
Thank you,
Bob Miller

[Bob Miller]

Finally had time to look at the Legend.
I thought I would warm it up,then pull the spark plugs.
While warming it up I burned a few rods. AC 7018 could not start an arc, 6011 could weld but by the end of the stick motor was dragged way down.
DC(remember I could not weld at all in DC) 6011 would run again motor labored.
One more stick of 6011 ran a little better, 7018 ran fine, another stick 6011 ran fine.
In the end it fixed it's self, bad part is the hour meter still reads 4014 hrs.
Now it's destined to a life of fence building in Nevada.
Thanks for all the help and Good Luck,
Bob